114 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



hatch, for often one bird will remain on the nest during the day 

 (and of course at night) with such chicks as cannot yet stand or 

 walk, while the other feeds close at hand with the stronger ones. 

 Thus the full time for sitting may be, and often is, exceeded by 

 some days, and all the sound eggs may hatch. But if the hen 

 has laid, say, four or five after beginning to sit, it is probable 

 that several will be left in the nest, containing large living chicks 

 (which die in the shell), for the birds will not continue sitting for 

 more than three or four days after the first chicks appear. 



Newly -hatched Chicks. 



As the time for the eggs to hatch out draws near, the birds 

 become much excited, probably from hearing the chicks crying 

 in the shell, or pecking at it to break themselves out (both sounds 

 being very distinct) ; the excitement increases as the chicks 

 appear. 



When first hatched the chicks are perfectly helpless ; the back of 

 the head and adjoining portion of the neck are greatly swollen and 

 out of shape, as are the legs, especially the tarsi and toes, which are 

 puffed and jelly-like, and of a transparent-looking pinkish yellow. 

 The eyes have a cloudy expressionless appearance. For some 

 hours they cannot even hold up their heads ; they cannot stand 

 until at least twenty-four hours old, nor get about at all until 

 another day older, and then only in a very ricketty manner, 

 tumbling over every few steps ; nor are they quick and steady on 

 their legs until the swelling has quite subsided. They do not 

 seem to have much consciousness for about the first twenty-four 

 hours, but when once they have found their legs they soon 

 become exceedingly wild unless handled, and rapidly attain to a 

 remarkable speed. For about the first day they eat nothing; 

 after this they may be seen, when the sunshine is warm, sitting 

 on the edge of the nest, just free of the parent, pecking feebly 

 and uncertainly at small objects on the ground, or at anything 

 within their reach. The stronger ones will gradually wander 

 a short distance from the nest with the parent that is not sitting, 

 and eventually all will leave it, being tended by both cock 

 and hen. 





